KR20060054163A - Apparatus and method for shrinking continuous textile substrates - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shrinking continuous textile substrates. The apparatus comprises a first motor roller (4); Second motor roller 5; A continuously wound belt 3 for carrying and supporting the textile substrate 2; Pretensioning means 6 for applying a predetermined longitudinal tension to the belt and means 7 for guiding the belt. According to the invention, the belt can be deformed sufficiently elastically in the longitudinal direction. The pretensioning means comprise an idle roller 6 and the guide means is a rotating drum for guiding the belt 3 along the length 34 between the second motor roller 5 and the first motor roller 4. 7). The fabric substrate 2 is conveyed and disposed between the belt 3 and the rotating drum 7.

Textile base, motor roller, belt

Description

Apparatus and method for shrinking continuous textile substrates}

1 schematically shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

2 schematically shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

* Detailed description of the main symbols in the drawings *

1: device 2: fabric substrate

3: belt 4: 1st motor roller

4a: 3rd motor roller 4b: children guide roller

5: 2nd motor roller 5a: 4th motor roller

5b: 5th motor roller 6: idler pretensioning roller

7: drum

The present invention generally relates to treatments that cause shrinkage of fabric substrates. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for shrinking continuous textile substrates, such as, for example, cross-wovens, knits, nonwovens, and the like.

As is known, shrinkage treatment of continuous fabric substrates is performed to significantly reduce the shrinkage of the fabric substrate in an uncontrolled manner. Shrinkage of the fabric substrate may occur, for example, due to the effects of physical and mechanical processing operations that occur during the manufacture of the garment product or after home maintenance of such garment product.

The effect of this undesirable shrinkage phenomenon is a bad dimensional change, ie mainly longitudinal shrinkage. As a result, the garment size is reduced compared to the garment size at the time of manufacture or the garment size purchased by the user.

Known shrinkage treatments performed during cycles of finishing continuous textile substrates significantly compress the transversely disposed yarns relative to the longitudinally disposed yarns. In this way, the yarns in the transverse direction are arranged closer together, with higher density and less freedom of movement. As a result, the longitudinal dimension of the continuous textile substrate is reduced by a certain amount, which may vary depending on the topographical properties of the substrate and in particular the efficacy of the device used.

A known shrink technique is the so-called "compressive shrink". This technique is based on the use of a belt that firmly bonds with the fabric substrate, which is essentially shrinking. The fabric substrate shrinking with the belt is provided around a roller or cylinder with a different radius of curvature. A characteristic of the belt and / or system is to cause a reduction in length or to reduce the tip speed of the belt along a short portion just below the point of attachment to the substrate. In this way, as the belt shortens, the belt is carried with the shrinking fabric substrate. Belt technology and features may vary depending on whether the fabric substrate is cross-woven or knitted.

US Patent No. 2,021,975 discloses a method and apparatus for treating cross-woven fabrics. The known device uses a belt having a surface that passes from the first untensioned state and then again passes through the somewhat convex path alternately on the support roller and the rotating drum. The shrinking fabric material is fed to the surface of the belt and compressed strongly against the belt along the section of the path in an extended state: in this way the fiber is unstretched and the surface of the belt along the length of the path where the shrinkage of the fiber occurs. Is moved in a contracted manner.

U. S. Patent No. 4,156, 955 describes a method and apparatus for preshrink fibers. The apparatus comprises an inlet roller, a heating rotary drum and a belt that winds around the surface of the inlet roller and winds the surface of the rotating drum (mainly composed of fiber felt-like material). The surface of the belt, which is external to the surface of the drum, is subjected to acceleration along a very curved length (with a small radius of curvature) compared to the preceding straight portion. On the other hand, where there is a continuous reversal in the bend on the surface of the drum, the same surface of the belt is subjected to deceleration along the non-convex portion. A flexible, strong sheet-like element with a smooth surface (referred to as "shoe" in textile engineering) is inserted between the surface of the drum and the surface of the drum that is external to the surface of the roller, so that between the drum and the belt in the longitudinal direction Extends from. Continuous fibers are fed to the belt wound around the rollers and inserted and disposed between the outer surface of the belt and the flexible sheet element. In this way the fibers are carried by the belt to be compressed against the belt and integrally bonded to one another and wound around the surface of the drum. In this way, the fibers will follow the belt during reversal at the bends of the belt, causing the belt to slow down and undergo a slow down which causes longitudinal shrinkage.

US Pat. No. 4,908,918 and US Pat. No. 4,969,243 describe methods and apparatus for shrinking knits, particularly tubular knits. The device according to both patents comprises a belt for carrying / shrinking the fabric substrate to be treated and a member (“shoe”) for inserting / compressing the substrate into the shrinking zone. The belt mainly consists of a fabric structure with a significantly unexpanded base supporting a layer of fiber material of a needle-punched felt type that extends considerably. When the bottom surface is placed to rotate on the surface of the drive roller, the non-extending surface of the bottom surface causes substantially no longitudinal extension. On the other hand, the elastic surface of the belt is exerted along the bend of the path and shrinks immediately when the path of the belt is substantially straight again. The degree of this elastic force change depends on the total thickness of the belt and the ratio between the diameter of the belt drive roller and the thickness of the belt.

The prior art referred to is based on the use of highly deformable belts since the known technique of compressive shrinkage of continuous textile substrates is made of rubber or fibrous material, and the deformation of the belt in the longitudinal feeding direction is essentially a first extension. And a second contraction step subsequent to the step. In the first case, deformation occurs by the compressive force of the (extending) belt and the pressure is released (the belt shortens, returning to the uncompressed state); In the second case, deformation occurs by the continuation of the slightly convex belt portion (thus the extension of the belt) and the sudden reversal in the bend (the contraction of the belt occurs).

In both cases, the fabric substrate integrally coupled with the deformable and / or extendable surface of the belt is subjected to a "compression force" in the feeding direction, ie compression of the belt structure, resulting in longitudinal shrinkage.

This prior art documents the need for the use of mechanical means to feed, bond and compress fabric substrates and belts during the extension and retraction steps to maximize processing performance.

The main problem of the known solutions is that the range of action of this extension and contraction step is relatively limited overall due to the basic principles of the treatment and in particular the characteristics of the limited deformation forms of the belts used.

In fact, the desired degree of shrinkage to be delivered to the fabric substrate cannot be controlled except within very small limits and is essentially dependent on the deformation capacity of the belt in use and the morphological and structural features of the substrate.

As a result, the remaining shrinkage of the substrate may not reach the "zero" target except in exceptionally suitable situations, while the degree of "compression" delivered to the substrate may be the maximum compression that can be tolerated by the other fabric structures of the substrate. Exceed the limit.

In the first case, the fabric substrate maintains a residual shrinkage of generally 2% to 5%, which is currently unsatisfactory to apparel manufacturers. In the second case, when the degree of compression is excessive, the fabric substrate overcomes the excessive compression and generally produces undesirable surface defects in the form of deformations and distortions (in technical terms called "orange skin", "elephant skin", etc.). Cause

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for causing shrinkage treatment to be carried out on a fabric substrate to generate a very low residual shrinkage force after treatment of the substrate.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which allow a gradual and non-forced shrinkage treatment to be carried out so as not to cause any defects in the fabric substrate.

This and other objects are achieved by the apparatus of claim 1 and the method of claim 16. Other advantages of the invention are described in the respective claims. All claims are included in the detailed description of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for shrinking a continuous textile substrate. The apparatus comprises a first motor roller, a second motor roller, a closed round wound belt for carrying and supporting a textile substrate and pre-tensioning means for applying longitudinal tension to the belt; Means for guiding the belt. According to the invention, the pretensioning means comprises a third roller which is preferably idle and the means for guiding the belt is a rotation for guiding the belt along the length between the first motor roller and the second motor roller. It includes a drum. The fabric substrate is conveyed and placed between the belt and the rotating drum. The belt according to the invention deforms to a considerably elastic force in extension.

According to the invention, the tangential velocity at the outer surface of the first motor roller is less than the tangential velocity at the outer surface of the second motor roller.

According to one embodiment, there is a third roller motor located below the forward direction of the belt and the first motor roller and connected to the first motor roller such that the tangential velocity at the outer surface of the first motor roller and the third motor roller is substantially Matches. The belt is at least partly wound around the third motor roller.

Preferably there is an idle roller positioned between the third motor roller and the idle pretensioning roller for guiding the belt, the belt being at least partially wound around the idle guide roller.

According to one embodiment, there is a fourth roller motor located upwards with respect to the advancing direction of the belt and the second motor roller and connected to the second motor roller such that the tangential velocity at the outer surface of the second motor roller and the fourth motor roller is substantially Matches. The belt is at least partially wound around a fourth motor roller.

Preferably, a fifth motor roller is provided. This fifth roller is disposed between the fourth motor roller and the idle pretensioning roller and is connected to the second motor roller so that the tangential speed at the outer surface of the fourth motor roller and the fifth motor roller is substantially coincident. The belt is at least partly wound around the fifth motor roller.

Typically, during use, the first length of the belt that substantially lies between the first motor roller and the third idle pretensioning roller and between the third idle pretensioning roller and the second motor roller is in a cactus state. in a tensioned condition) rather than in the longitudinal direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the first belt length is the length between the idle guide roller, idle pretensioning roller and the fifth motor roller.

Typically, during use, the second length of the belt substantially lying between the second motor roller and the first motor roller extends in the longitudinal direction less than or equal to that extending in the longitudinal direction in the cactus state.

Preferably, the rotating drum has a side for guiding at least a portion of the second length of the belt, the side of the drum being heated to a temperature above ambient temperature.

Conveniently, the belt consists of a natural material, preferably a sufficiently elongated and elastic material based on rubber.

Optionally, the belt consists of a sufficiently elongated and elastic material, such as a synthetic material, preferably a polyurethane polymer.

Optionally, the belt is made of a sufficiently elongated and elastic material which is a textile material, preferably the felt is supported by an extensible structure consisting essentially of elastic fibers.

Preferably, when the belt is subjected to a tension of about 3-12 kg / cm, the belt is extended in a percentage that is equal to about 5% to 100% of the length, more preferably about 50% of the untensioned length. Elastically deformed.

Preferably, the distance between the surface of the drum and the surface of the second motor roller is less than or equal to the thickness of the belt and the distance between the surface of the drum and the surface of the first motor roller is greater than or equal to the thickness of the belt.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for shrinking a continuous fabric substrate. The method according to the invention is:

Providing a closed round wound belt that deforms sufficiently elastically upon extension (and thus upon contraction);

Providing a closed round wound belt between the first motor roller and the second motor roller, the first motor roller and the second motor roller and applying pretensioning traction to the belt

The belt is driven by the first motor means and the second motor means such that at least the first length of the belt receives a traction force greater than the pretensioning traction force and the second length of the belt receives a traction force less than or equal to the pretensioning traction force; Doing;

Providing a treatment / guide surface along the second belt length; And

Supplying the continuous fabric substrate such that the continuous fabric substrate is conveyed and disposed between the treatment surface and the belt along at least a portion of the second belt length.

Preferably, the step of providing the belt comprises a ratio between 5% and 100% of the belt length in the untensioned state when subjected to a tension of about 3-12 kg / cm, preferably about 50% to the untensioned length. Providing a belt that can elastically deform upon extension in the same proportion as.

Preferably, the belt conveying step comprises a first motor roller; Second motor roller; Children rollers; And providing a rotating drum for guiding the belt along the length between the second motor roller and the first motor roller, wherein the tangential speed of the second motor roller is greater than the tangential speed of the first motor roller.

Preferably, providing the treatment surface comprises providing an idle drum having an outer surface and heating the outer surface.

Preferably, along at least a portion of the first length, the belt extends further by a ratio of about 5% to 50% compared to the cactus state.

Preferably, the step of supplying the continuous fabric substrate comprises feeding the continuous fabric substrate to the surface of the belt in a fully extended state and conveying the fabric substrate on the belt in a fully retracted and progressively tensioned state. do. The present invention is essentially based on shrinkage techniques involving sliding. The present invention overcomes all the technical and qualitative disadvantages of the prior art of compressive shrinkage and also increases the production efficiency of known solutions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of the invention, given by way of example and not by way of limitation, is provided below and the detailed description is read in conjunction with the drawings.

1, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1 for retracting the continuous textile substrate 2 advancing in the AB direction comprises a belt 3, a first motor roller 4, a second motor roller 5, an idle transmission roller 6 and a drum. It includes (7).

The belt 3 is wound continuously and deformed sufficiently elastically in the longitudinal direction. For the purposes of the description and the claims, the term "belt elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction" may be elastically deformed to extend and shorten so that it is not sufficiently tensioned when subjected to longitudinal traction ( By a belt that causes an elastic deformation of 5% to 100% of its length as compared to its length in the absence of any traction force). Preferably, the elastic deformation is from 5% to 50% of the length of the belt compared to the length without being sufficiently tensioned when the belt is subjected to a tension of about 2 kg / cm to about 15 kg / cm. More preferably, the elastic deformation is about 50% when the belt is subjected to tension between about 3 kg / cm and about 12 kg / cm.

The first and second rollers 4 and 5 are preferably motor rollers for driving the belt 3. In turn, the belt 3 supports and transports the fabric substrate 2. The drum 7 is preferably idle and heated and acts as a dwelling surface for essentially guiding the belt 3. The outer surface of the drum 7 is represented by 72 and the thickness of the belt 3 is represented by S.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first motor roller 4 and the second motor roller 5 are in a first direction (clockwise) around the axial shafts 40 and 50 by means of motors known but not shown. ), And is fixed to the hubs of the shafts 41 and 51. The rollers 4, 5 and 6 have sides shown as 42, 52 and 62, respectively.

The continuously wound belt 3 follows a closed path and delimits the inner surface 30 and the outer surface 31. The belt 3 is wound at least partially onto the side surfaces 42, 62, 52 of the rollers 4, 6, 5 with the inner surface 30. The belt 3 is wound on the side surface 72 of the drum 7 with an outer surface 31.

With the device according to FIG. 1, the idle roller 6 is arranged below the motor roller 4 and above the motor roller 5; The drum 7 is arranged between the motor rollers 4 and 5 such that the side surface 72 of the cylinder faces near the side surfaces of the motor rollers 4 and 5 at a distance D. Preferably, the distance D substantially coincides with the thickness S of the belt. In the forward direction of the belt 3, a first “lower” length 33 which lies substantially between the first motor roller 4 and the second motor roller 5 (through the children transmission roller 6) and At least two lengths of the belt 3 for the present invention are identified, which is a second " top " length 34 substantially lying between the second motor roller 5 and the first motor roller 4.

The idle roller 6 exerts a predetermined vertical thrust on the belt by mechanical, hydraulic or hydraulic means along the first length 33. The belt is thus cactically operable in the longitudinal direction over its entire length.

According to the invention, the belt 3 is driven and fed forward by the first motor roller 4 at a first adjustable first tangential speed. The belt is also driven and fed forward by the second motor roller 5 at a second tangential speed. The second tangential velocity is greater than the tangential velocity delivered by the first roller. In this way, the first length 33 of the belt 3 is deformed and extended and the second length 34 of the belt is deformed and retracted. In other words, along the first length 33, the belt 33 extends longitudinally larger than it has in the cactus state. Along the second length 34 the belt extends longitudinally smaller than it has in the cactus state. The contracted or extended pretensioning state and deformation state are shown schematically in FIG. 1.

The drum 7 is driven and rotated counterclockwise to the second length 34, and the surface 31 of the drum is at least partially wound on the side surface 72 of the cylinder. Preferably, the side surface 72 is heated to a predetermined temperature by known steam, diathermy oil, electrical resistance and the like.

Preferably, the drum 7 is rotated counterclockwise around the axial shaft 70 and fixed to the hub 71 of the shaft by a known reducer but not shown reducer. The shrink fitting tube is connected to the motor of the second motor roller 5 by known transmission means. The shrink fitting tube transmits a tangential velocity substantially equal to the side surface 52 of the second motor roller 5 to the side surface 72 of the drum 7.

The belt portion partly wound around the first motor roller 4 is extended and cactus in a manner corresponding to pretensioning. Along the first length 33 of the belt 3 from the first motor roller 4 to the idle roller 6 and the second motor roller 5, the belt is driven to drive the first motor roller 4. Pulled by a second motor roller 5 with a rotation speed greater than that. As a result, the belt extends progressively increasing as compared to the normal cactus length (the length corresponding to the length of the belt partially wound on the first motor roller 4 as described above). The maximum extension of the belt 3 is achieved in the part of the belt which is partly wound on the second motor roller 5.

Along the second "top" length 34 of the belt 3, the portion 34 of the belt is "loosened" by the first motor roller 4 at a rotational speed greater than that of the second motor roller 5. . As a result, along the second length, the belt gradually loosens until it reaches the normal cactus length where shrinkage decreases. The maximum shrinkage takes place immediately below the second motor roller 5 and the overall recovery of the cactus state takes place along the part of the belt which is partly wound on the first motor roller 4 as described above.

The surface 31 of the second length 34 joins and partially winds up and moves around the surface of the drum 7 during the contracting or loosening step. However, because of the effect of elastic recovery of the second length 34, its surface 31 is " slid " partially above the surface 72 of the drum in the direction opposite to the advancing direction.

The continuous textile substrate 2 is supplied in sufficient contact with the surface 31 of the belt (maximum of the second motor roller 5) which extends to the maximum. The fabric substrate is firmly positioned between the surface 72 of the drum 7 and the surface 31 of the belt. Conveniently, as described above, the surface 72 of the drum is heated to a predetermined temperature. The second length 34 of the belt and the textile substrate 2 supported by the surface 31 are pushed by the second motor roller 5 to rotate around the drum 7 and to the first motor roller 4. Is pulled out and extracted from the drum.

The fabric substrate 2 initially received by the belt during maximum extension is carried over the surface 31 of the length 34 of the belt during maximum contraction and gradual loosening.

However, the fabric substrate 2 does not fit tightly into the belt 3. Thus, the belt contracts until the belt is substantially restored to its original cactus state (static or dynamic state) and the fabric follows the belt substantially during the contraction, and the fabric substrate is in the opposite direction to the contraction direction, ie the forward direction. It may slide slightly over the surface 31 and the side 72 of the drum 7 in the opposite direction.

2, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The same reference numbers will be used to refer to the same parts.

The device 1 of the second embodiment is substantially similar to the device of the first embodiment. However, in addition to the first motor roller 4, at least one third motor roller 4a is provided for pulling the belt and the idle roller 4b for guiding the belt. The third motor roller 4a and the idle guide roller 4b are continuously disposed directly below the first motor roller 4. The fourth motor roller 5a and the fifth motor roller 5b for pulling the belt 3 are disposed just above the second motor roller 5 (with respect to the advancing direction of the belt).

The third motor roller 4a, the fourth motor roller 5a and the fifth motor roller 5b are rotated around the respective shafts 40a, 50a and 50b by means of transmission which are known but not shown. The transmission means of the third motor roller 4a is connected with the motor of the first motor roller 4; Similarly, the transmission means of the fourth and fifth motor rollers 5a, 5b are connected with the motor of the second motor roller 5. In this way, the third motor roller 4a will have substantially the same rotational speed as the first motor roller 4; The fourth and fifth motor rollers 5a, 5b will have substantially the same rotational speed as the second motor roller 5.

The transmission means gives a counterclockwise rotation to the third and fourth motor rollers 4a and 4b and a clockwise rotation to the fifth motor roller 5b. The idle guide roller 4a freely rotates about its shaft 40b in the clockwise direction. In this way, the belt 3 along the "lower" first length 33 is above the sides 42, 42b, 52b, 52 of each roller 4, 4b, 5b and 5 in the inner surface 30. At least partly wound; The belt 5 is at least partly wound on the opposite surface 31 of the belt over the sides 42a, 52a of the rollers 4a and 5a.

As a result, the first " lower " length 33 of the belt is deformed so that the third motor roller is driven by a tensile driving force by the second motor roller 5 supported by the third and fourth motor rollers 5a, 5b. It extends with respect to the first motor roller 4 supported by 4a (ie, longer compared to the belt in the "static" or "dynamic" cactus state). The idle roller 4b performs the function of guiding the first belt length 33 while being pulled, so that during extension the tangential velocity of the side 42b of the idle roller is wound around the idle roller. Adapt to the tangential velocity of the surface 30.

Similarly, the second length 34 of the belt is deformed so that the second motor roller 5 (supported by the fourth and fifth motor rollers 5a, 5b) (with respect to the third motor roller 4a) Contact the first motor roller 4). This arrangement of motor rollers eliminates or at least minimizes the slip between the surface of the roller and the surface of the belt. In particular, it is advantageous for this arrangement of the rollers to follow the first belt which is pulled and subjected to deformation in extension.

According to the invention, the belt 3 is at least partly made of a sufficiently extending and elastic material. In a first preferred embodiment, this material is, for example, a raw material based on rubber. In a second preferred embodiment, this material is a synthetic raw material, for example based on polyurethane polymers. In a third preferred embodiment, the material is a fabric material in felt form supported by an extensible structure consisting essentially of elastic fibers. Obviously, it is possible to manufacture a belt combining two or more of the above materials.

In any case, as described above, the belt is untensioned when subjected to a tension of about 5 kg / cm to about 25 kg / cm, in the same range as 5% to 100% of this length, preferably 5% to 50%. It causes elastic deformation in extension. More preferably, the elastic deformation upon extension is about 50% relative to the "untensioned" length when the belt is subjected to a tension of about 3 kg / cm to about 12 kg / cm. In this extended state (equivalent to about 50%), the shrinkage in the transverse direction is about 10% to 30% of the substantially untensioned length.

The thickness S of the belt is preferably in the range of about 2.0 mm to 40.0 mm. More preferably, the thickness S ranges between about 4.0 mm and 16.0 mm. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt has a thickness of about 10.0 mm. The belt is uniformly well made of woven or nonwoven fabrics (eg felt type). Optionally, the belt may be made of an elastic strap. The choice of the preferred material for the belt depends primarily on the type of fiber being treated. Preferably, rubber belts are advantageously used for cross weaving and the like, while pulp fibers are advantageously used for knitting and the like.

The tangential speed or tip speed of the second motor roller 5 is greater than the speed of the first motor roller 4. The tangential speed of the second motor roller 5 may be twice the tangential speed of the first motor roller 4. Preferably, the tangential speed of the second motor roller 5 increases by 20% to 60% relative to the tangential speed of the first motor roller 4. More preferably, the tangential speed of the second motor roller 5 is about 40% greater than the speed of the first motor roller 4.

The drum 7 for guiding the belt is preferably heated to a temperature of about 50 ° C to about 200 ° C, more preferably about 110 ° C to 140 ° C.

The distance D1 is provided between the side surface 72 of the drum and the side surface 52 of the second motor roller 5. Preferably, the distance D1 is less than the thickness S of the belt by an amount between about 0% and about 50%. In this way, the belt and the fabric substrate are firmly bonded to each other.

The distance D2 is provided between the side surface 72 of the drum and the side surface 52 of the first motor roller 4. Preferably, the distance D2 is greater than the thickness S2 of the belt by an amount between about 0% and about 100%.

Continuous textile substrates may be cross-woven or knitted or nonwoven. The uniformly well-knitted knitted fabric has an open form or a tubular form.

The apparatus and method for shrinking a continuous fabric substrate by "sliding" according to the present invention allows the fabric substrate to use substantially all of the shrinking energy. In this way, a goal is achieved where the residual shrinkage is "zero."

Advantageously, the maximum shrinkage that is delivered by the specific textile substrate of the substrate using the apparatus and method according to the invention and which the fabric structure can be overshrunk is not exceeded. In other words, no deformation and / or distortion of the exterior of the fabric substrate occurs.

In other words, due to the elongation and elasticity of the belt and the possibility of deformation by extension and contraction by a predetermined and adjustable amount, the degree of compression of the fabric substrate may vary and may be adjusted in proportion to the potential shrinkage limit.

However, because of the possibility of slipping present in the apparatus and method according to the invention, in any case it is possible for the fabric substrate to automatically adjust the degree of longitudinal shrinkage so that it can be shrunk without causing adverse adverse effects.

Another advantage is the fact that the maximum shrinkage / reduction of the fabric substrate is so fast that it has a forward speed of the substrate that is significantly greater than the forward speed of known "compression" techniques. In this way the production capacity of the method of the present invention increases significantly.

The apparatus and method of the present invention allow a gradual, non-forced shrinkage treatment to be performed without causing any defects in the fabric substrate.

Claims (22)

First motor roller 4; Second motor roller 5; A continuously wound belt 3 for carrying and supporting the textile substrate 2; An apparatus (1) for retracting a continuous fabric substrate (2) comprising pretensioning means (6) for applying a predetermined longitudinal tension to the belt and means (7) for guiding the belt. It can be deformed substantially elastically in the longitudinal direction, the pretensioning device comprising an idle roller 6 and the guide means having a length between the second motor roller 5 and the first motor roller 4. A device (1) characterized by a rotating drum (7) for guiding the belt (3) along 34, wherein the fabric substrate (2) is carried and disposed between the belt (3) and the rotating drum (7). ). The method of claim 1, The first motor roller 4 has an outer surface 42 and the second motor roller 5 has an outer surface 52, and the tangential velocity at the outer surface 42 of the first motor roller 4 is second. Apparatus (1) characterized by being less than the tangential velocity at the outer surface (52) of the motor roller (5). The method according to claim 1 or 2, The outer surface of the first motor roller and the third motor roller, including a third motor roller 4a arranged below the belt 3 and the forward direction of the first motor roller 4 and connected to the first motor roller. The device (1), characterized in that the tangential velocity at (42, 42a) is substantially the same, and the belt (3) is at least partially wound around the third motor roller (4a). The method of claim 3, wherein An idle roller 4b disposed between the third motor roller 4a and the idle pretensioning roller 6 and for guiding the belt, wherein the belt 3 is surrounded by the idle roller 4b. At least partly wound on an apparatus (1). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The second motor roller and the fourth motor, including a fourth motor roller 5a disposed above the belt 3 and the forward direction of the second motor roller 5 and connected to the second motor roller 5. The device (1), characterized in that the tangential velocity at the outer surface (52, 52a) of the roller is substantially the same, and the belt (3) winds at least partially around the fourth motor roller (5a). The method of claim 5, wherein A fourth motor roller and a fifth motor including a fifth motor roller 5b disposed between the fourth motor roller 5a and the idle pretensioning roller 6 and connected to the second motor roller 5. Apparatus (1) characterized in that the tangential velocities at the outer surfaces (52a, 52b) of the motor roller are substantially the same, and the belt (3) is at least partially wound around the fifth motor roller (5b). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, During use, the belt 3 substantially lies between the first motor roller 4 and the idle pretensioning roller 6 and between the idle pretensioning roller 6 and the second motor roller 5. The first length (33) of the device (1) characterized in that it extends in the longitudinal direction more than it extends in the longitudinal direction in the cactus state. The method of claim 7, wherein The first belt length (33) is characterized in that the length between the idle guide roller (4b), the idle pretensioning roller (6) and the fifth motor roller (5b). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, During use, the second length 33 of the belt 3 substantially lying between the second motor roller 5 and the first motor roller 4 is smaller than extending longitudinally in the cactus state. Or equally extending in the longitudinal direction. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The rotating drum 7 has a side face 72 for guiding at least a portion of the second length 34 of the belt 3, wherein the side face 72 of the drum is heated to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature. Device (1). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The belt (3) is characterized in that it comprises a sufficiently extended and elastic material based on natural raw material, preferably rubber. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The belt (3) is characterized in that it comprises a sufficiently extended and elastic material which is a synthetic raw material, preferably a polyurethane polymer or the like. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The belt (3) is characterized in that the belt (3) comprises a sufficiently elongated and elastic material which is felt supported by an extensible structure consisting of a textile material, preferably an elastic fiber. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The belt 3 extends in the same range as 5% to 100% of its length in the untensioned state, more preferably about 50% for the untensioned state when subjected to a tensile force of about 3-12 kg / cm. Apparatus (1) characterized in that it is elastically deformed to. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The distance D1 between the surface 72 of the drum 7 and the surface 52 of the second motor roller 5 is less than or equal to the thickness S of the belt 3 and the surface of the drum 7 ( Apparatus (1) characterized in that the distance (D2) between 72 and the surface (42) of the first motor roller (4) is greater than or equal to the thickness (S) of the belt (3). Providing a continuously wound belt 3 that is sufficiently elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction upon extension; Providing a belt 3 continuously wound between the first motor roller 4 and the second motor roller 5, the first and second motor rollers 4, 5 and applying pretensioning traction to the belt. Adding; The first motor means 4 and the second motor means 5 such that at least the first length 33 receives a traction force greater than the pretensioning traction force and the second length 34 receives a traction force less than or equal to the pretensioning traction force. Driving the belt by; Providing a treatment surface 72 along a second belt length 34; And Contracting the continuous fabric substrate 2, including feeding a continuous fabric substrate 2 to be conveyed and disposed between the treatment surface 72 and the belt 3 along at least a portion of the second length 34. How to. The method of claim 16, The step of providing the belt 3 is elastically deformed upon extension to the same range as 5% to 100% and preferably about 50% of the untensioned length when subjected to a tension of about 3-12 kg / cm. Providing a belt which is to be provided. The method according to claim 16 or 17, The belt conveying step includes a first motor roller 4; Second motor roller 5; Providing a rotating drum 7 for guiding the belt 3 along the length 34 between the idle pretensioning roller 6 and the first motor roller 4 and the second motor roller 5 And the tangential speed of the second motor roller (5) is greater than the tangential speed of the first motor roller (4). The method of claim 18, The step of applying pretensioning traction to the belt comprises applying a predetermined vertical thrust to the belt by the side (62) of the idle roller (6). The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, Providing a treatment surface (72) comprises providing an idle drum (7) having an outer surface (72) and heating said outer surface. The method of claim 18, Along the at least one portion of the first length (33) of the belt, the belt is further extended by a ratio of about 5% to 50% compared to the cactus state. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, Supplying a continuous fabric substrate includes supplying the continuous fabric substrate 2 to the surface of the belt in a fully extended state and conveying the fabric substrate to the belt in a fully retracted and progressively released tension. Characterized in that.

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